Jupyter control laboratory equipent using ipywidgets

[Robin Cole]

Hi all

I am creating a strategy for automation our laboratory equipment where we build small satellites. I have come across interesting projects using Jupyter such as https://github.com/NSLS-II/bluesky but am seeking examples of people using ipywidgets to control equipment. Something similar to https://www.dashdaq.io/ GUI but using Jupyter. Also a nice-to-have is exposing equipment functionality over the lab network via a RESTful API (or perhaps MQTT). I do similar at home with https://www.home-assistant.io/ but want something purpose built for the lab requirements.

Thanks in advance

[Patrick Fuller]

Hi Robin,

I’ve been using this “home automation for the lab” strategy for a few years now. What I’ve found is there’s no silver bullet. Lab equipment manufacturers often make up their own protocols or half-implement something before going their own way, which means that you usually need to get your hands dirty with custom communication interfaces.

Our solution is to 1. write a python driver for each brand of (serial) equipment, 2. use raspberry pis to expose async HTTP APIs, and 3. tie ipywidgets to HTTP requests. Accomplishing 1 required some up-front work, but 2+3 are easy and I’ve found we don’t bring in many new brands of equipment.

You can see sample drivers here, a blog post here, and I’d be happy to talk further. We’re constantly talking through how to make this process simpler, and I could share much more detail on how we do it today.

Hope this helps,
Pat

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